MY SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE + MINI PRODUCT REVIEWS (ETUDE HOUSE, IT'S SKIN, BIORE, BIFESTA, DHC, THE BODY SHOP)

I believe skincare routine should not be permanently fixed. Instead, it must be changed according to the weather, environment and skin condition. I previously wrote about my spring skincare routine, but as it's summer now, I want to do an updated regime. Since it's scorching hot now, my skin has changed from normal/dehydrated to combination/oily and acne-proned. As a result, I tend to use light but still hydrating products to keep my skin clear and moisturized. 

A.M. 

• Cleanser: Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam

This is my favorite summer cleanser as it's light, non-stripping, non-drying yet effective in getting rid of dirt and oil on my face. It has a refreshing lemon scent which I absolutely love because I feel like it wakes me up in the morning. It's also free of alcohol, mineral oil, fragrance and paraben. Another bonus point is the super affordable price and its huge size (170ml). 

- Ingredients: glycerin, water, potassium stearate, potassium myristate, PEG-32, stearic acid, micro-crystalline cellulose, myristic acid, potassium laurate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium bicarbonated (0.1%), citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, lauric acid, glyceryl stearate, disodium EDTA, lauramide DEA, PEG-100 stearate, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, sodium benzoate

• Toner: It's Skin Supersize Peeling Softner

Don't be freaked out by the word "peeling" in the name because the product is actually quite gentle. It's claimed to be an exfoliating toner, but I don't think it can replace the regular exfoliators like peeling gel, scrubs, etc. at all. Having said that, it does make my skin feel smooth, cool and refreshed after each usage. The 400ml bottle lasts for a very long time too. However, I am a little bit disappointed in the lid quality. Below is a photo of the lid in its original form:

After about 2 months, the white plastic part came off like this:

I managed to put it back but it still comes off every now and then, which is admittedly quite annoying. When I used this toner in winter, it did make my skin feel a little bit tight, though not dry, so if you have really dry skin, I'm not sure if this product is suitable for you.

• Eye cream: It's Skin Collagen Voluming Eye Cream

I used to use It's Skin Brighten System Eye Cream, and while it was good, the price was a little bit steep for me. This Collagen Voluming Eye Cream is half of the price of the former one, and it performs just as brilliantly. It absorbs quickly because of the light texture and moisturizes my eye area really well. The cream also doesn't irritate my eyes or give me milia. It's free of paraben and alcohol. One thing I dislike about it is the heavy scent, which lingers for quite a while after each usage.

• Serum: It's Skin Power 10 Formula VE Effector with Vitamin E derivatives

I wrote a full review about this product before, so please click here to read it. In short, it's a light, moisturizing and radiant-boosting serum. I've used for so long that it lost the anti-blemish effect on me, but it's still doing a great job in brightening and plumping my skin.

• Sunscreen: Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF50+ PA+++

I don't use sunscreen on my face in the summer because all the ones I've tried so far turn my face into an oil slick after 2 hours. Instead, I use Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm SPF25 PA++ and top off with Skin79 Sun Protect Beblesh Pact SPF30 PA++. I know many dermatologists said that sun protection in makeup is not enough, but I think this combo works for me as my skin neither get tanned nor burned when I use these. Besides, I don't have to go out in the sun that much anyway. However, I do use Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF50+ PA+++ on my neck and body. It's a waterproof sunscreen with a super light texture which enables it to sink into the skin right away without leaving any white cast behind. It protects my skin from getting burned, but my skin will still tan if I go into the sun frequently. I don't recommend this to people with dry skin because it does contain quite a lot of alcohol.

- Ingredient (source: ratzillacosme.com): cyclomethicone, dimethicone, alcohol, zinc oxide, water, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, lauryl methcrylate / sodium methacrylate crosspolymer, polymethylsilsesquioxane, glycerin, talc, polysilicone-9, PEG-12 dimethicone, titanium dioxide, methicone, PEG-3 dimethicone, dimethicone/methicone copolymer, cetyl-PG hydroxyethyl palmitamide, alumina, silica, BHT, fragrance

P.M.

• Eye makeup remover: Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover

This eye makeup remover is light, gentle, non-greasy and non-irritating, yet it manages to take off my waterproof mascara and eyeshadow so quickly and effortlessly. I just pour it onto two cotton pads, place them on my closed eyes for about a minute and voila, everything is off! I see lots of people rubbing their eyes to remove makeup, but please don't do that because it'll damage the sensitive skin around the eyes and create fine lines/wrinkles. 

• Face makeup remover: Bifesta Cleansing Liquid

This stuff is my holy grail, because it's not only an excellent water-based makeup remover but also an exfoliator! I know it sounds weird, but this is the only product I use now to remove my dead skin cells. Whenever my skin feels rough and congested, I'll massage this on my dry face for about 3-4 minutes, and I can actually see the white heads under my skin come out, which is both gross and satisfying at the same time. My skin always feel so smooth and moisturized after using this, possibly because of the hyaluronic acid in it. It's also free of oil, mineral oil, alcohol, fragrance and paraben.

- Ingredients: water, PEG-8 glyceryl isostearate, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, isopropyl myristate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, cetyl ethylhexanoate, glycerin, propylene glycol isostearate, PEG-12 laurate, hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, citric acid, sodium citrade, caprylyl glycol  

• Cleanser: Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam

• Toner: It's Skin Supersize Peeling Softner

• Eye Cream: It's Skin Collagen Voluming Eye Cream

• Serum: It's Skin Power 10 Formula VE Effector with Vitamin E derivatives

• Cream: It's Skin Toma Jelly Cream

Despite its name, this cream is actually a gel. I don't use it everyday because I feel like it's a bit too much for my oily skin. However, I use it on top of It's Skin Power 10 VE when my skin is dry or dehydrated. It absorbs quickly and moisturizes my skin quite well. It also doesn't clog my pores or break me out. I have nothing to complain about this, but I think it's been discontinued in Korea already because it's no longer listed on itsskin.com.

• Lip Balm: DHC Lip Cream

First of all, this is not a lip cream, it's a lip balm! It is odorless, moisturizing and the packaging is just so cute. It doesn't feel sticky if I only apply one layer; thus, it's the only lip balm I've tried so far that can be used under lipstick without interfering with the color payoff. Having said that, my lips rarely get dry so I usually just use it at night before bed. I think it'll last for 4 months since I only apply it once a day. 

SPECIAL TREATMENT

Once or twice a week, I use The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask to deep clean my face and eliminate the small bumps under my skin. It's also my go-to acne treatment. Whenever I have blemishes, I'll dot this mask on the spots and leave it there for 1-2 hours, then wash it off. I do it every day until they are all gone, basically. Before this, I was using Origins Clear Improvement Active charcoal mask to clear pores, but even though it's like double the price of The Body Shop mask, it's just not as good. Once again, my skin seems to prefer affordable stuffs over high end ones. 

That's it for my summer skincare routine. I hope this'll be helpful to you. See you next time!

REVIEW: SKINFOOD WATERY BERRY LINE (TONER, SERUM, EMULSION)

I wanted to try Skinfood Watery Berry line because I loved the packaging and the CF (silly reasons, I know), but as the prices were quite stiff, I didn't want to purchase them and end up regretting my decision. Imagine my happiness when I received the samples for the toner, serum and emulsion! Now I'll stop blabbering and tell you what I think about them.

• Main ingredients (source: eng.theskinfood.com):

- Berries: Cloudberries, lingonberries, and raspberries from Lapland, a region famous for its Santa Claus village, provide superior antioxidant properties.

- Hyaluronic acid: holds up to 30 times its weight in water, transforming dry skin into a soft, glowing texture.

• Skinfood Watery Berry Toner:

- Description: A dewy moisture toner that promotes soft, glowing skin with berry extracts and hyaluronic acid.

- My opinion: This is a gentle, non-stripping and non-drying toner. I don't think it provides much moisture to the skin, but at least it doesn't irritate or dry my skin out. It also has a light scent which I really like. If you have dry/sensitive skin, I highly recommend this product.

- Score: 8/10

• Skinfood Watery Berry Serum:

- Description: A dewy moisture serum that promotes soft, glowing skin with berry extracts and hyaluronic acid.

- My opinion: This is my favorite product out of the bunch. I used this when my skin was dull-looking and dehydrated, and when I woke up the next morning, my skin was revitalized, moisturized and visibly brighter. Its light texture enabled it to penetrate quickly into the skin without leaving any greasy residues behind. However, I used this in spring, when the weather was still cold, so I'm not sure if it'll be suitable for the scorching summer. But in my opinion, it'll be fine because of its light consistency. I think every skin type can use this, but if you have really dry skin, make sure to follow up with a moisturizer.

- Score: 10/10

• Skinfood Watery Berry Emulsion:

- Description: A dewy emulsion that promotes soft, glowing skin with berry extracts and hyaluronic acid (OK, Skinfood is really lazy with their English translations as the descriptions for their line are basically the same, minus the product names :/)

- My opinion: This is basically a light moisturizer, which absorbs quickly as well as provides moisture and brightening effect. I really like it but I think the moisturizing and brightening properties pale in comparison with the serum. That's understandable because serum is more concentrated and meant for treatment, while emulsion is just supposed to provide extra moisture and comfort for the skin. Again, I can't attest to how it'll perform in hot weather, but if you have dry/dehydrated skin and feel that the serum is not enough for your skin, follow up with this emulsion.

- Score: 9/10

Purchase?: I love this line, but I'm quite satisfied with my skincare routine at the moment, so I'll have to say no. But I may buy them in the future if the current products stop working for me. Overall, I highly recommend these products for those with dry or oily/dehydrated skin because they're so light, gentle yet effective.

REVIEW: THE BODY SHOP SHIMMER CUBES PALETTE 26 HOT PINK

For a while, the only eyeshadow I owned was Dolly Wink Cream Eye Shadow in 01 Gold. One day, while I was browsing through The Body Shop's website, the Shimmer Cubes Palette caught my eyes because it just looked so darn cute >.< As pink is my favorite color, I decided to get one in 26 Hot Pink.

Description: A palette of four subtle iridescent shades to mix and match. Crease-resistant and suitable for contact-lens wearers.

• Iridescent finish
• Crease-resistant
• Dermatologically tested
• Ophthalmologically tested


Ingredients: Mica (Opacifier), Talc (Absorbent/Bulking Agent), Silica (Absorbent), Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate (Absorbent/Anticaking Agent), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Emollient), Zea Mays Starch (Absorbent/Chelating Agent), Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate (Skin Conditioning Agent), Isopropyl Isostearate (Emollient), Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate (Skin Conditioning Agent), Nylon-12 (Absorbent/Bulking Agent), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Sorbitan Stearate (Emulsifier), Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (Viscosity Modifier), Polyacrylamide (Film Former), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Methylparaben (Preservative), C13-14 Isoparaffin (Solvent), Ethylparaben (Preservative), Propylparaben (Preservative), Sodium Dehydroacetate (Preservative), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Laureth-7 (Emulsifier), Butylparaben (Preservative). [+/- CI 77891 (Colour), CI 77491 (Colour), CI 77499 (Colour), CI 77742 (Colour), CI 77492 (Colour)].

My opinion: The Body Shop claims that these are crease-resistant and I couldn't agree more. Now, I have quite oily eye lids, so base makeup and Dolly Wink Cream Eye Shadow often crease on me, even though I always apply powder on top. However, when I apply the colors from this palette, my eye lids stay crease-free all day, which is absolutely amazing! Another thing I like is that they're all very long-lasting: once they're on, they'll stay there until I use a makeup-remover to take them off. They last through the scorching summer heat, the pouring rain, the sweat and the hand rub! The colors are natural enough to use during the day, but they are also buildable so you can use them in the evening as well. Having said that, they can be removed easily with an eye-makeup remover and don't irritate my eyes in any ways. The expiry date is 18 months after opening, but I think it'll last longer than that. Here are the swatches on my eyes:

01 Shade: Garden Rose

02 Shade: Deep Fuchsia 

03 Shade: Light Coral

04 Shade: Pink Champagne

Verdict: 9/10

Repurchase?: I have in fact bought another Shimmer Cubes Palette, but in another color. I'll test that out later and decide whether to repurchase this one or not. While I'm not sure if I'll buy this color again, I'm certain that Shimmer Cubes Palette will always be present in my makeup collection. 

COLLECTIVE EYE CREAM REVIEW: CLINIQUE, ETUDE HOUSE, KOSE, BOBBI BROWN, IT'S SKIN

Today I'd like to talk about all eye creams I've used so far. Some will not be mentioned here because they've been discontinued, and I've already reviewed Skinfood Salmon Brightening Eye Cream on my blog, so please click on the name if you're interested in it. The products will be presented in a chronicle order, from the first one I've ever tried to the one I'm currently using.

1. Clinique All About Eyes

(source: clinique.com)

• Claims: Works for all skin types. This lightweight eye cream diminishes the appearance of puffs, undereye circles. Non-creep, cream/gel formula actually helps hold eye makeup in place. Ophthalmologist Tested. 
• Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Isostearyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Morus Bombycis (Mulberry) Root Extract, Caffeine, Phytosphingosine, Triticum Vulgar (Wheat Bran) Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Petrolatum, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-8, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Iron Oxides (source: paulaschoice.com)
• My opinion: This was the first eye cream I used, and I was very disappointed in it. It did absolutely nothing for my dark circles; but to be fair, I was born with them, so no eye cream could get rid of them anyway. However, the ultimate deal breaker for me was the fact that it stung my eyes (and I don't even have sensitive eyes!). Its only redeeming points were its moisturizing property and the cute jar, but for the high price, I expected something more than that. 
• Score: 4/10
• Repurchase?: No!

2. Etude House Collagen Moistfull Firming Eye Cream

(source: etude.co.kr)

• Description: Etude House Moistfull Collagen Firming Eye Cream is a gel type eye cream. It’s specially formulated adhesive jelly texture, provides long-lasting contact for better results. Firms surrounding eye area for smoother younger looking skin. Collagen properties increase collagen synthesis, plumping the skin and allowing an increase in elasticity. Baobab seed oil contains abundant amount of nutrients to nurture the dry skin area around the eyes. (source: prettyandcute.com)

• Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, HDI/ Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Silicia, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Glyceryl, Sterate, Decyl, Cocoate, Dimethicone, Ceteth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Steareth-20, Ethylhexylgleryin, Octyldodecyl, Myristate, Xannthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, PEG-60Glyceryl Isosterate, PEG-75 Stearate, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (source: prettyandcute.com)
• My opinion: I didn't actually buy this cream but I tried some sample sachets of it. Prior to this, I'd used up a tube of Etude House Collagen Moistfull Eye Cream (which is now discontinued), which I didn't like much because it wasn't moisturizing enough for me in winter. This Firming Eye Cream, however, I really liked because it was so light yet hydrating. It absorbed really fast and didn't irritate my eyes in any ways. It didn't do much for my fine lines though, but since mine are not age- or dehydration-related, I don't think anything can fix them. 
• Score: 7/10
• Purchase?: Probably not. Now that I'm older, I'm not sure if this is still moisturizing enough for me.

3. Kose Sekkisei Supreme Whitening Eye Cream

(source: Kose's facebook)

• Description: A whitening eye cream that evens out and brightens the overall skin tone around the eyes. Helps reduce the appearance of dark spits and leaves the eye area deeply moisturized and visibly luminous.

• Ingredients: water (aqua), butylene glycol, hydrogenated polydecene, petrolatum, cetearyl alcohol, diglycerin, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, PEG-40 stearate, ascorbyl glucoside, behenyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, dipentaerythrityl hexahydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, acorus calamus root extract, angelica acutiloba root extract, centella asiatica extract, coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed extract, coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed water, melothria heterophylla root extract, polygonum tinctorium leaf/stem extract, alcohol, BHT, dimethicone, disodium EDTA, disodium phosphate, ethyl oleate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, hydrogenated lecithin, sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphate, xanthan gum, methylparaben, fragrance (parfum) 
• My opinion: In my humble opinion, this eye cream doesn't deserve the staggering price I paid for it. First of all, there are a lot of questionable ingredients in it, like petrolatum (a.k.a. mineral oil), alcohol (in an eye cream, really?) and paraben. Now I don't have any problems with mineral oil in cheap/affordable creams (like Nivea Soft and Nivea Creme) or cleansing products (Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover), but in high-end skincare? Mineral oil is a very cheap ingredient, and it's supposed to block other ingredients from penetrating into the skin, so the fact that it's the 4th ingredient on the list means that every other herbs extract has no means to be absorbed. This cream felt heavy and greasy on the skin, and it just kind of sat on my eye area and refused to sink in, even though I only applied a green-bean-sized amount. I didn't experience any brightening effects; in fact, my eyes just looked dull and tired due to the greasiness it gave. I also found the scent overwhelming rather than relaxing. The only good point was that it didn't sting my eyes. 
• Score: 4/10
• Repurchase?: No!
• Update: I've just done a search on kose.co.jp and it seems that this product has been discontinued!

4. Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream

 

(source: bobbibrowncosmetics.com)

• Description: Do your eyes need something extra? Packed with peptides, natural plant oils and humectants that target fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and dryness, this rich, concentrated cream visibly revives eyes. Use morning and night - warm between fingers, then pat gently around eye area. Once cream is absorbed, follow with Corrector and Creamy Concealer. Dermatologist tested. Ophthalmologist tested. 
• Ingredients: Water, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Ceresin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Acetyl Glucosamine, Pentylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Lanolin Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Bran) Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Morus Bombycis (Mulberry) Root Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Sucrose, Silica, Cholesterol, Sorbitol, DI-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxystearic Acid, Micrococcus Lysate, PEG-8 Distearate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Linoleic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Potassium Stearate, Potassium Palmitate, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium EDTA, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol (source: paulaschoice.com)
• My opinion: Why do these purse-rippingly expensive eye creams contain petrolatum? This one is even worse as it's the second ingredient! This product is so rich and thick that no matter what I did (i.e. warm the cream between my fingers, apply a tiny amount), it still didn't sink in. While it sat on my skin, it did blur out my fine line, but the effect disappeared right after it was washed off. Similar to Kose eye cream, it didn't brighten my eyes or lighten up my dark circles and I was left with greasy and dull-looking eyes. My Bobbi Brown Corrector and other concealers still creased on my lids and under my eyes. Well, at least the pot was cute and I didn't experience any irritation when using this. 
• Score: 4/10
• Repurchase?: No!

5. It's Skin Brighten System Eye Cream

• Description: Eye cream that is mixed with fruit extract and pearl extract. Creates bright and vivid eyes. (source: en.koreadepart.com)
• Ingredients: No idea as it's all written in Korean.
• My opinion: I'm currently using this one and I really like it. It doesn't give me any brightening effects but it's light, easily absorbed, non-irritating and moisturizing enough for me even in cold weather. It's just a simple and non-fussed eye cream. It's affordable and long-lasting as well (a 30ml tube can last me at least 6 months!). 
• Score: 8/10
• Repurchase?: No because I've already bought It's Skin Collagen Voluming Eye Cream (it's like half the price of the Brighten System Eye Cream). However, I may go back to this one if the other one doesn't work well.

That's the end of my very long rambles about different eye creams I've tried. Hope this will be helpful for you. Have a nice day and I'll see you soon :)

REVIEW: SK-II PITERA DELUXE SET TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE: FACIAL TREATMENT ESSENCE (215MML) - FACIAL TREATMENT CLEAR LOTION (215ML)

Pitera, SK-II signature ingredient, is probably one of the most famous ones in high-end skincare products. Needless to say, I was longing to try out the notorious Facial Treatment Essence as well as the much-raved about Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. Last year, I saw this exclusive travel set in Hong Kong International Airport, so I snapped it up instantly because 1) it was tax-free and 2) it was cheaper to buy in a set rather than individual products. 

• What is Pitera? 

In 1970s, SK-II scientists found out that aged sake brewer all had youthful and soft hands even though their faces were all wrinkled. They assumed that it was due to the fermentation liquid that they came in contact with while fermenting sake. After testing over 350 kinds of yeast, they finally discovered the yeast strain that helped maintain the skin youthfulness, and Pitera was created. According to SK-II, Pitera contains a lot of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids, which can enhance the skin's rejuvenation process.

• My opinion:

 - SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion: 

I really like this lotion because it's gentle, hydrating and non-drying. In my opinion, it's very hard to find a moisturizing yet non-sticky toner, but this one fits the bill perfectly. Even when my face was at its driest peak, it never dried my skin out. Having said that, I don't think I'll repurchase it because it doesn't really do anything to my skin: it doesn't improve my skin texture and has no effects whatsoever on my occasional breakouts (despite the fact that it contains salicylic acid). If you want to avoid paraben, then skip this because it does contain that ingredient.

- SK-II Facial Treatment Essence:

Many people recommend using hands to apply this instead of cotton pads, but for me, that method doesn't work. My palms seemed to absorb the liquid so quickly that I found I had to pour out more product. In the end, I just applied it according to SK-II's instruction, which was pouring it onto a cotton pad. This product has developed a cult following, but I have to say I hate it. First of all, it smells like... spit. If it has worked, maybe I could get over the scent, but sadly it doesn't. After using up the whole bottle, I can honestly say that I see no difference whatsoever on my skin. It doesn't make my skin worse but there's no improvement in my skin tone, pores and blemishes. Like the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, it also contains paraben. I'll definitely NOT repurchase this because I just don't see the point in using this as my skin looks exactly the same!

I said this before, and I have to repeat it now: My skin doesn't love high-end products! Hopefully, this will serve as a reminder for me not to splurge on purse-rippingly expensive items in the future (well, maybe not!).

REVIEW: BIORE FACIAL FOAM ACNE CARE

Lately I've been really good at finishing off skincare products :3 This morning I finally used up the last bit of my Biore Facial Foam Acne Care. 

The good: This cleanser is ideal for oily/combination skin in summer as it effectively gets rid of dirt, oil, and even makeup on the face without drying the skin out. It's non-acnegenic, non-comedogenic, and super super cheap :)

The bad: I first used it in spring when the weather was still cold, and it was a tad too drying for me. I had to stop using it and waited till the warmer months. So, this cleanser is definitely not suitable for those with dry skin. The instruction says to get about 3cm of product, but a pea-sized amount is more than enough. Although it has salicylic acid and is labeled as an "acne-care" cleanser, it neither prevents nor heals my hormonal acnes. It also contains alcohol and paraben, which doesn't bother me, but some people may wish to avoid this. A minor complaint is that despite its big size (130g), it only lasts for about 2 months.

Verdict: 7/10

Repurchase?: No because it doesn't impress me that much.

REVIEW: HADA LABO AHA+BHA EXFOLIATING FACE WASH FOAM

I officially ran out of my Hada Labo AHA+BHA Exfoliating Face Wash Foam yesterday, and I was ECSTATIC! I don't know about you guys, but every time I use up a beauty product, I feel extremely happy because: 1. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, 2. I can move on to another product, and 3. My beauty product is less... cramped (it's like, overflowing with stuffs right now). So, to commemorate this joyful occasion, I'll write a review about this cleanser :P

This foaming cleanser contains glycolic acid - a type of AHA - which is an extremely popular exfoliating ingredient. It's present in Alpha-H Liquid Gold, Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, Pixi Glow Tonic, and many other brands. Salicylic acid - or BHA - is very common in anti-blemish products, like Origins Super Spot Remover, Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel, and Clinique Anti-blemish Solutions line. It has anti-inflammatory and pore-unclogging effects. One thing to remember when using this cleansing foam or any exfoliating products: You should wear sunscreen when going out because your skin is more sensitive towards sunlight after being exfoliated.

The good: This cleanser removed all the dirt, oil and possible makeup/sunscreen residues on my face. It also made my skin feel smoother after usage without clogging my pores or breaking me out. The product was housed in a cute yet effective and practical bottle. When I used Tonymoly Dr. Tony AC Control Bubble Foam and Etude House Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Moist, there was always some bit of products that the pumps couldn't reach. Meanwhile, the pump of Hada Labo AHA+BHA Exfoliating Face Wash Foam successfully pushed out every last bit of liquid. I even opened the lid to look inside and there was absolutely nothing left! Like other Hada Labo products, this cleanser is free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorant.

The bad: Despite containing AHA and BHA, this cleanser didn't replace my regular exfoliator and acne treatment. It couldn't take away my dead skin cells, unclog my pores or heal/prevent my acnes. In summer, I usually used it once a day because it was a tad too strong and stripping if used twice daily. My face felt a little bit tight if I didn't apply a moisturizer right away. In winter, I only used it once in a while when I wanted to deep-clean my face, because it could dry out my skin when used everyday. In short, I would recommend this to people with oily skin (who don't mind products containing paraben), but not to those with dry or sensitive skin.

Score: 7/10

Repurchase?: No coz I'd like to buy something which can be used twice daily. 

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